A Co. Galway farmer whose farm was described as ‘toxic’ has been fined €750 on an animal cruelty charge and prohibited from keeping more than five animals.
Loughrea District Court heard that 46-year-old farmer PJ Shiel, Reaskmore, Craughwell, Co. Galway had over 60 previous convictions, the Connacht Tribune reports.
Superintendent veterinary inspector Michael O’Brien told the court this week that Shiel admitted three charges of ill-treating lambs and permitting a carcass to remain unburied on the farm in Craughwell.
“The yard is so toxic that anyone who does work there has to dispose of all of their clothes,” he said.
The court also heard that there were on-going problems on the farm which had no gates or fencing, while inspections found animals had not been fed for a considerable time.
O’Brien also told the court that he found an unburied four or five month old weanling in a shed.
Issues of inbreeding and BVD on the farm were also detailed to the court, the paper reports.
Inspector Mick O’Dwyer told the court that there were over 60 previous convictions against the accused including convictions for cruelty to animals.
The court also heard that the accused lived alone with his 81-year-old mother and had health problems.
Judge Browne imposed a fine of €750 on one of the cruelty charges and also imposed a fine of €500 for permitting the carcase of an animal to remain unburied.